Veteran point guard Kemba Walker was just recently acquired by the Thunder in a trade with the Celtics, but very well could be on the move before the start of the season.
Per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, there’s a sense the Thunder will be able to trade Walker before training camp, assuming Walker checks out health-wise.
This is yet another sign that Thunder executive of basketball operations Sam Presti is exploring all his options ahead of Thursday’s NBA Draft — as Fischer also reported that OKC shooting guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also available.
The asking price for Gilgeous-Alexander, however, is said to be significantly higher than the “future assets” Fischer reported the Thunder are seeking for Walker.
Along with that, the Thunder are open to moving any or all of their three first-round draft picks (Nos. 6, 16 and 18), Fischer noted.
As for Walker, Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reported last month that a trade appears to be imminent. Winfield cited a left knee issue that has hindered Walker’s mobility among the reasons that the Thunder may quickly look to move on.
The Thunder landed Walker and the No. 16 overall pick from the Celtics in a trade last month, sending center/forward Al Horford and young center Moses Brown to Boston in the process.
The Athletic’s Jared Weiss reported that Walker was “heartbroken” about the trade after developing a strong bond with his Celtics teammates.
Walker, 31, averaged 19.3 points and 4.9 assists in 43 regular-season games.
He is due to make more than $36 million next season, with a player option for more than $37 million in 2022-23.
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